BARC returns to Pembrey with trio of championships

20 Jul 17

The British Automobile Racing Club pays its latest visit to South Wales with a bumper programme of championships set to duke it out around Pembrey Circuit.

This weekend marks a crescendo of sorts for a host of series as attention turns towards the final few events of the 2017 campaign and the battle to be crowned champion coming to the fore.

It has been all-out action in the Junior Saloon Car Championship this year with the latest crop of 14 to 17-year-olds producing plenty of thrills ‘n’ spills.

Four different drivers have graced the top step of the podium so far this season but it is Ethan Hammerton that holds the lead in the points. Hammerton’s consistency has been something to behold this year and he’ll be keen to continue it here with just two events remaining afterwards.

Hot on his heels are a trio of drivers that now look to be the only challengers that can stop Hammerton from prevailing as champion. Will Dyrdal, Gordon Mutch and Sam Kirkpatrick have all scored victories this year and are blanketed by a mere 20 points – a gap they’ll need to close in both encounters over the course of the weekend.

In the Max5 Racing Championship, grid numbers have grown and the competition has been tougher than ever. The multi-class championship stages three races instead of the customary two at Pembrey with the [perennial front runners looking to extend their advantages.

The Absolute Alignment C1 Challenge has proved to be a revelation since it first broke cover at the Autosport Show in January.

Providing a low cost method to go endurance racing, limited modifications to the popular Citroen C1 machine have made it accessible to everyone – with a bumper grid taking to Snetterton for the inaugural event in early May. They will take centre stage on Saturday afternoon for a four-hour endurance encounter.

Capping off the action will be the Welsh Racing Driver’s Club Championship, where plenty of local talent is set to prosper. With a wide array of machines sharing the same piece of tarmac in the multi-class category, it is all to play for in front of the home crowd.